The West Willamette Restoration Partnership (WWRP) recently released a fascinating and informative presentation about a collaborative project in Southwest Portland. The story map was created by PSU student Andrew Addessi. Take a look here: http://arcg.is/2fHFcL0 and scroll down to learn more about how WWRP is working to connect Southwest Portland’s urban forest. 

Environmental Services is a founding member of the WWRP. The group was convened in 2006 to build and empower collective efforts to remove invasive species, restore wildlife habitat, and elevate local stewardship in Portland’s west side Willamette River sub-watersheds in SW Portland.  The forests in this area are important for wildlife connectivity between Forest Park and Tryon State Natural Area.  

In 2009, Environmental Services built an important foundation for the effort through a study of the Marquam/Terwilliger area of SW Portland in a series of Subwatershed Improvement Strategy reports.  The reports outline many projects that will improve overall watershed health by enhancing water quality and stormwater management and creating opportunities to protect and restore habitat for birds, fish, mammals, amphibians, and people. WWRP is tackling some of these projects and is making large strides toward accomplishing our watershed health goals in the area.

WWRP is built on the active partnership of the many groups, including the Columbia Land Trust, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, Environmental Services, Portland Parks & Recreation, the SW Watershed Resource Center, the Friends of Marquam Nature Park, the Friends of Terwilliger with support from the Homestead Neighborhood Association, Oregon Health & Sciences University:, and the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District.

You can learn more about the work of the WWRP by visiting the program website: http://www.westwillamette.org/